The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) shared that the life safety code preventative maintenance manual has been updated and will be available this week on the ODH nursing homes publications webpage. The updated manual includes a section on Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES), Temporary Construction Waivers/ Time Limited Waivers, and Continuing Waivers. A list of required documentation has also been included. ODH shared the following trends in citations:
ODH confirmed facilities can use the pandemic for the emergency preparedness exercise. Facilities could use the implementation of the vaccine mandate as a table-top exercise to review what the facility did and how the implementation went. ODH reminds facilities to ensure they can print reports from any electronic system that contains the required documentation. During the facility tour surveyors are finding penetrations in smoke barriers, commonly due to contractors conducting work such as with computer cabling work. Isolation units were discussed and ODH reminds facilities to take them down when they are no longer needed and the facility is out of an outbreak, which allows corridor egress to be unobstructed. When isolation units are in service, facilities should attempt to have only the necessary number of items placed in the hallways such as doffing receptacles. The plastic barrier should not leave a portion of the unit without sprinkler coverage. Exit signs should be placed on the plastic partitions, possibly on both sides of the partition. ODH commended the work facilities did on constructing the isolation units.